Events & Happenings
THE BEACH Returns as DIFF’s Preferred Outdoor Screening Venue
THE BEACH opposite JBR partners with Dubai International Film Festival for the second consecutive year to host exclusive public screenings by the seaside, with cosy bean bags that can accommodate up to 500 visitors each evening.
THE BEACH opposite JBR partners with Dubai International Film Festival for the second consecutive year to host exclusive public screenings by the seaside, with cosy bean bags that can accommodate up to 500 visitors each evening.
As part of the festival, on 11 December, THE BEACH will host a special live performance by Palestinian singer and 2013 Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf at 9.30pm following the screening for his biopic. Musicians from Song of Lahore will make a momentous appearance for a live concert before the screening of the film on 14 December at 8.30pm.
The complimentary screenings and performances will be hosted on the sand opposite Fratelli La Bufala near the North area of THE BEACH
Getting there:
Taxi: Reel Cinemas at THE BEACH opposite JBR is the nearest drop-off point to the screening which is a breezy 300 metre walk away.
Dubai Tram: Jumeirah Beach Residences 2, located at a 3-minute walking distance, is the closest stop. The tram also connects to the Jumeirah Lake Towers metro station and the Dubai Marina metro station. Allow for up to 20 minutes between trams.
Dubai Metro: Jumeirah Lake Towers station located 1.5 kms from THE BEACH, at a 25-minute walking distance, is the closest metro station.
For visitors driving to the venue: The blue and green sections are the underground parking locations closest to the screening, easily accessible from escalators in both sections. Regular parking charges of AED20 per hour will apply. Patrons may validate parking for up to three hours against purchases of AED75 and above at any of the participating outlets at THE BEACH. Additionally, valet parking at AED 50 per hour and VIP parking at AED 500 for the day are also available.
Screening Schedule:
| Date | Time | Movie |
| Wednesday, 9 December | 6.00pm | Live Streaming of DIFF’s opening ceremony |
| 7.00pm | EL CLASICO directed by Halkwat Mustafa
Set in northern Iraq, the film – supported by DIFF’s post-production fund Enjaaz – tells the story of the unmatched optimism of youth as two young brothers decide to undertake a perilous journey and leave their homeland behind to capture the attention of one of their idols, Cristiano Ronaldo. |
|
| Thursday, 10 December, | 7.00pm | SAVVA. HEART OF A WARRIOR directed by Maksim Fadeev
The film tells the story of Savva, our 10 year old hero, as he attempts to save his family and his whole village from the vicious hyenas intent on running the humans out of town. |
| Friday, 11 December | 7.30pm | THE IDOL directed by Hany Abu Assad
This is a truly special event that will see ‘Arab Idol’ winner Mohammed Assaf performing a selection of his most loved songs, after the screening of Oscar-nominated director Hany Abu Assad’s biggest feature film to date – ‘The Idol’. A truly inspiring story with wonderful performances from the child actors and told with a loving hand from one of the Arab world’s most accomplished directors. |
| 9.30pm | Special performance by Mohammed Assaf | |
| Saturday, 12 December | 7.30pm | JAWS directed by Stephen Spielberg presented by legendary actor Richard Dreyfuss
Iconic ‘JAWS’ which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, the breakthrough motion picture is credited with being one of the first ‘blockbusters’ and remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history. |
| Sunday, 13 December | 7.00pm | LADY IN THE VAN directed by Nicholas Hytner
Acclaimed actress Maggie Smith, plays the role of Ms Shepherd, an elderly eccentric woman, after falling on hard times, decides to temporarily reside in her old van in front of a playwright’s driveway – for 15 years. The unique and witty story gives audiences insight into a very odd long-term friendship. |
| Monday, 14 December | 7.00pm | SONG OF LAHORE with a live performance from the films’ musicians
Director Andy Schocken’s and Oscar–winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary ‘Song of Lahore’, is a moving and uplifting look at cultural preservation and tells the story of a group of passionate and skilled musicians who risk their own safety to inspire listeners from all over the globe. |
| 8.30pm | Live performance by musicians of the film | |
| Tuesday, 15 December | 7.00pm | YALLAH! UNDERGROUND by Farid Eslam
The film follows some of the most progressive and influential musicians working in the Arab world as they display their work and share their fears and dreams in the wake of enormous societal shifts across the region. ‘Yallah! Underground’ is a reminder of the importance of artistic expression and the power that it can wield. |
| Wednesday, 16 December | 7.00pm | ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME – a world premiere from award-winning filmmaker Ella Lemhagen
Starring Sarah-Jessica Parker as the uptight Maggie, ‘All Roads Lead to Rome’ follows Maggie, who in a desperate attempt to bond with her want away daughter Summer, embarks on an ill-fated trip to Italy. |